Rahway man charged in linden carjacking, park shooting investigation

Rahway Man Charged in Linden Carjacking, Park Shooting Investigation

by
June 2, 2026
·

A 20-year-old Rahway resident faces multiple weapons and carjacking charges after detectives linked him to a stolen vehicle and a shooting at a crowded Linden park.

Linden, NJ – A Rahway man has been arrested and charged in connection with a violent carjacking and a separate shooting that occurred in Linden last month, authorities announced. Ryan Billups, 20, was taken into custody following a month-long investigation into the incidents, which police say were connected through the use of a stolen vehicle.

Key Points

• Ryan Billups, 20, of Rahway was arrested in connection with a Linden carjacking and park shooting.

• Detectives allege a stolen vehicle taken during the carjacking was later used in the shooting.

• No injuries were reported in the shooting despite more than a dozen rounds being fired toward a crowd.

According to the Linden Police Department, Billups is charged with first-degree carjacking and conspiracy to commit carjacking, along with multiple weapons and aggravated assault offenses stemming from the two incidents.

Investigators allege that during the early morning hours of April 15, Billups and another masked suspect approached a vehicle in the 100 block of East Gibbons Street, ordered the driver out at gunpoint, and fled in the stolen vehicle.

Stolen vehicle allegedly used in park shooting

Detectives said the stolen vehicle was later connected to a shooting that occurred the same evening in the 1000 block of Summit Terrace.

Shortly before 9 p.m., authorities allege that Billups and another individual fired more than a dozen rounds toward a crowd gathered at a park. Despite the gunfire, no injuries were reported.

Billups faces two counts of second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, three counts of third-degree aggravated assault, and one count of fourth-degree aggravated assault related to the shooting.

Month-long investigation leads to arrest

Police said detectives spent more than a month investigating the incidents before identifying Billups as a suspect in both cases.

He was arrested at his Rahway home on May 28 without incident and was remanded to the Essex County Jail pending a Superior Court appearance.

Linden Police Chief David Hart praised the work of investigators, describing the case as a complex and comprehensive investigation that required extensive follow-up and coordination.

Investigation remains active

Authorities have not announced any additional arrests, and investigators continue to pursue leads related to the second suspect.

Anyone with information about the incidents is asked to contact Detective Ariel Franjul at 908-474-8538 or Detective Dan Hemenway at 908-474-8532.

Phil Stilton
Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

  1. Canadian Wildfire Triggers Code Red Air Quality Alert in New Jersey: Officials Warn Everyone Is at Risk
  2. Parasitic Illness Linked to Fresh Produce Spreads Across 34 States Including New Jersey
  3. New Jersey Voters Continue to Back Full-Service Gas Stations, FDU Poll Finds
  4. Trump Declassifies Election Intelligence, Alleges Foreign Interference in 2020 Election